Cluster of differentiation 4/cluster of differentiation 8 ratio of T-lymphocyte subsets in Egyptian patients with severe pre-eclampsia

This study was designed to evaluate the immunological role of CD4+Tcells, CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of severe pre-eclampsia. Consequently, we estimated their blood levels and the CD4+/CD8+Tcells ratio among patients with pre-eclampsia. The study included 50 primigravid patients in third trimester, recruited from El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital. After obtaining informed written consents, they were divided into two groups: Group A included 25 patients with severe pre-eclampsia, and Group B included 25 normal pregnant women. All patients underwent thorough history taking, complete clinical examination and ultrasound evaluation for fetal condition. Then the percentages of blood CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were estimated via flow cytometry and CD4+/CD8+ T cells ratio was calculated. Patients with severe pre-eclampsia in Group A revealed an increase in CD4+ T cells and a decrease of CD8+ T cells together with an increase in CD4+/CD8+ T cells ratio in comparison with the normal pregnancy (Group B). These differences were statistically significant (p=0.041, p=0.0001 and, p=0.0001, respectively). In addition, there was a positive correlation of blood CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4/CD8 T cells ratio and severe pre-eclampsia. In conclusion, estimation of the percentage of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and their ratio may be used as a marker to predict pre-eclampsia and confirm its severity.